READ: Operating Systems

Interfaces

Operating systems offer the computer user a way to control what the computer does. This control is realized through a user interface (UI).

Commands for a computer can be typed into a command line interface (CLI). Sometimes referred to as a prompt or terminal, the command line interface allows users to control the computer using keywords.

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In order to make computers easier to use, the graphical user interface (GUI - pronounced "gooey") was developed. With a GUI, the computer is commonly controlled with a computer mouse. Rather than remembering and typing in commands, icons and buttons on the screen can represent commands for the computer with a GUI.

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